New Year Post – 2014

Here we are – 6 months late but still necessary – my reflections on the year 2014:

1. What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?
-Cut my own hair. Well, technically, I cut a fade into the side.
-Saw MEN live and interviewed JD Samson.
-Returned to my university for a visit since I graduated.
-Saw Neutral Milk Hotel live :O
-Saw Bombay Bicycle Club live and met Jack.
-Saw the Courtneys live.
-Attended Beast of the East.
-Babysat four kids for a weekend of absolute shenanigans.
-Went to a young friend’s funeral.
-Interviewed Xavier Dolan, Michel Gondry and a few other hip folk.
-Sang at a pal’s wedding.
-Moved back home.
-Moved in with my parents (for a brief amount of time).
-Had a proper visit to Detroit.
-Babysat my parents’ dogs.
-Bought ragdoll kittens.
-Got a shellac manicure oh ho ho!
-Went to Frankenmuth as an adult.
-Finally worked at Indigo.
-Most importantly: proposed!

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Nah, I didn’t keep ’em. I think I made a pretty decent effort though. I will always make more. It’s not that I think I can accomplish them. I think it’s more like a revolving list of long-term goals.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin had a wee one. Otherwise… I think that may be it.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not super duper tight – but she was a total fucking legend … my pal from uni Awn.

5. What countries did you visit?
Just Canada and the ol’ U.S. of A. For us, 2014 was particularly light in the travel department.

6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
A bit more spending money, a bit more time for travel, a job that pays well… maybe some benefits. I guess I can sum this up as: stability.

7. What date(s) from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January – Neutral Milk Hotel
February – JD Samson
March – Scott’s visit/our Toronto & Niagara adventures
April – Roooolller Derby
May- Bombay Bicycle Club, The Courtneys, Tegan & Sara
June 20th – moving to Windsor/leaving Montreal
June – Awn’s Celebration of Life
July 19th – Ryan & Val’s wedding
End of July – Sauble Beach holiday
Late August – Detroit adventure with Holly & Dani
Late September – Quitting Sutherland
Late September – KITTENS!
Early October – Hannah & Roy’s visit to Windsor
October 24th-26th – Toronto trip to see Diamond Bones with Holly & Dani
November 22nd – our trip to Frankenmuth
December 18th – proposing to Roisin

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Hmmmmmm… 2014 wasn’t really about achieving. It was full of disappointments and reality checks. I guess getting from Montreal to Southern Ontario was something.

Oh! And I did finally interview Xavier Dolan. BOOM! There we go: achievement unlocked.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to make Montreal work, struggling to get work – having to return to a call centre.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I was doin’ okay until I started working at Indigo and managed to get every version of the cold. I feel like I was ill for 2-3 months straight.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
CATS!!! and Elaine Ho engagement rings – also, technically our trip to Scotland for 2015 and many, many, many books.

iii. richer or poorer?
Richer I believe. Less debt and working all the hours means that things are turning around.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
So much. So, so, much. Reading, drawing, writing, watching TED talks, more long walks. So much…

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Gettin’ stressed out. Worrying… maybe a little less working initially. And job hunting in general.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I was super duper holy shit ill and we went to my Uncle Gary & Aunt Barb’s. It was rubbish ’cause it’s my favourite time of the year and I honestly felt HORRIBLE. :( I could barely taste anything.

21. Did you fall in love in 2014?
No need. I’ve been in love with Roisin since 2012.

I’ve fallen in love with a few bands and some music… does that count?

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Parenthood. SO GOOD. Parks & Recreation but we’re still watching. Orange is the New Black – SO AMAZING. Game of Thrones, Mad Men hmmm

I got pretty into Property Brothers. I also watched Everwood.

23. What was the best book you read?
Everything is Illuminated – Jonathan Safron Foer
The Cuckoo’s Calling / The Silkworm – Robert Galbraith
The Flamethrowers – Rachel Kushner
His Dark Materials – Phillip Pullman
The Price of Salt – Patricia Highsmith
Seconds – Bryan Lee O’Malley
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? – Jeanette Winterson
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running – Murakami

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hands down it was Lucius.
The Belle Game maybe… not sure if I listened before
Hozier
Matrimony

Hmm and I actually started listening to Grimes

25. What did you want and get?
To move to Ontario.
To quit the call centre.
To have a bedroom.

26. What did you want and not get?
To pay off my debt.
To have a full-time job with benefits.

27. What was your favorite film of this year?
I went from being a Film editor to watching so few films hmmmm
So if things are missing from this list that you’re all like :O – it’s probably because I’ve not watched them yet.The Double
Palo Alto
We are the Best!
Like Father, Like Son
Tom à la ferme
Three Night Stand
The Chaperone
Whiplash

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were ya?
I turned 30 – a bit of a milestone, but I didn’t really do too much. I watched Home Alone, ate chocolate cake and then I went to the Keg with Roisin and Holly. (Roisin had never been before.) Then I went home and hung out with our kittens.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
So many things… less trouble finding full-time employment, getting a flat and settling in. Bluuuurrrrg.